Goodyear has announced that it plans to close its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina by the end of the year. The plant, which employs about 90 people, produces retread material for commercial truck and aircraft tires. According to a Goodyear statement, the production will be incorporated into other Goodyear facilities in the US.
Archive for the ‘insoluble sulfur’ Category
Goodyear to Close Spartanburg
October 22, 2009Flexsys Restarts Idled Sulfur Plant
October 15, 2009Citing improved demand, Flexsys announced yesterday that it plans to restart an idled insoluble sulfur plant in Monongahela, Pennsylvania in early November. The plant was idled in June 2009.
The text of the press release follows:
ST. LOUIS October 14, 2009 – Solutia Inc. (NYSE:SOA) has recently announced its plans to reopen its Monongahela, Pennsylvania, manufacturing site by early November.
“Demand for Crystex insoluble sulfur has improved significantly since the first quarter of 2009,” said Greta Senn, vice president of Crystex. “We look forward to welcoming back our employees and serving our customers. Restarting the plant will continue to ensure a steady and reliable supply of insoluble sulfur to our tire customers worldwide.”
Solutia’s Monongahela plant was temporarily idled in June 2009.
Solutia is the world’s leading producer of chemicals for the rubber and tire industry. Crystex insoluble sulfur prevents sulfur migration and is critical for the manufacture of quality radial tires.
ITC Rules that Chinese Tire Imports Have Harmed US Industry
June 18, 2009According to Reuters, the US International Trade Commission announced on Thursday, June 18, that China was unfairly flooding the U.S. market with tires. In a 4-2 vote, the International Trade Commission found that a surge of low-cost tires from China had disrupted U.S. markets. Later this month, it will recommend a remedy to President Barack Obama.
The petition was filed by the United Steelworkers in response to a dramatic increase in imports of Chinese tires in recent years. It would limit imports of automobile tires from China to 21 million, the level in 2005. This is roughly half the current level. In a statement responding to the ruling, USW International President Leo W. Gerard said, “Our domestic industries cannot survive unless our government enforces the trade laws that are designed to curb and dissuade anti-competitive practices that cause market disruptions. We anticipate that the remedies that will be delivered to President Obama will allow the time necessary to rebuild the U.S. tire industry.”
Yesterday, the Tire Industry Association came out in opposition to the petition. “TIA would ask the ITC to continue to support a free-trade policy, and reject the USW’s effort to impose a protectionist policy,” the group said in a press release.
Michelin’s May Tire Data Show Declines in all Markets Outside China
June 17, 2009Michelin has released its May 2009 and year-to-date figures for tire sales, revealing continued steep declines in the tire markets of North America, Europe, Brazil, and Japan. The Chinese market remains an exception, with both passenger and truck tires sales generally up.
In original equipment passenger car and light truck tire markets, European sales were down 28.2% in May (relative to May 2008), while North American sales were down 52.4%, and Chinese sales were down 9.6%. In replacement PC/LT tires, European sales were down 15.1% in May, North American sales were down 9.8%, and Chinese sales were up 2.0%.
In original equipment radial truck tires, very steep declines were registered in May in Europe (-72.9%, compared to May 2008), North America (-53.5%), Brazil (-24.1%), and Japan (-65.2%), while China saw growth of 2.6%. Replacement radial truck tire sales for May were also down nearly across the board, including Europe (-23.3%), North America (-12.8%), Brazil (-22.3%), and Japan (-17.4%), while China saw essentially flat growth of 0.1%.
Again, with the exception of China, year-to-date figures were down across the board. In China, PC/LT tires saw double digit YTD growth (January through May) in both OEM and replacement markets. Chinese truck tire markets saw weaker YTD growth, with OEM sales up 1.3% but replacement sales down 1.0%.
Details are here.
Notch Publishes New Report on Insoluble Sulfur
June 9, 2009Notch Consulting Group has just published a new report covering the global market for insoluble sulfur, a non-blooming vulcanizing agent used in rubber compounding, mainly in components requiring a high degree of stickiness or tack, including radial tires, belting, and hoses.
This 45-page report provides global demand figures for the insoluble sulfur market, including data for all regions and 15 leading countries. Data are provided for all years from 2005 through 2008, with forecasts for 2009, 2010, and 2015. Demand is detailed by major market, including passenger tires, truck tires, other tires, and non-tire rubber goods. The report also provides market share and capacity by supplier, current pricing, and profiles of leading suppliers.
With its prospects tied inextricably to the motor vehicle and tire industries, the insoluble sulfur industry currently faces its most challenging conditions in 25 years. World Markets for Insoluble Sulfur chronicles the industry’s current condition in detail, and provides forecasts for short term recovery as well as long term growth.
Here is an overview of the report (PDF), including the full table of contents.
Contact Notch Consulting Group at info AT notchconsulting.com with questions or to order the report.
